July 20: “State of the City” by City Manager Susan McCarthy
ISSUE NO. 2
JULY 13, 2001
OUR 80th YEAR
www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org
A ROTARIAN BRINGS US A TV STAR
How
many Rotarians are married to television stars? Only one, as far as we know.
How
many television stars have Rotarian wives? Again, only one, we think.
How
many television stars have also played Shakespeare on the New York stage? Same
answer.
In
all three cases we’re referring to our own Rosemary Regalbuto (who
joined the club in April) and her husband Joe Regalbuto, who has been starring
for ten years in television’s “Murphy Brown” series and much earlier was
in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He’ll be our speaker at this
Friday’s meeting, ad libbing about experiences in show business as they come
to his mind.
Joe
is one of a comparatively few actors who have won notice four different ways:
on the stage, in movies, in television, and just lately as a movie director.
(The first film he’s directed, “The Miracle of Pelham Bay Park,” will be
out soon.
The
Regalbutos had lived in New York until several years ago, when producers of
“Murphy Brown” decided to move the show here, which naturally meant
that the Regalbutos moved too.
NARROW
ESCAPE ON JUNE 29
Such
a ruse as was attempted at the club’s June 29 meeting is rare in our history.
But it must be recorded.
The
meeting began as a fairly routine happening in our Rotary life. It marked the
beginning of another Rotary year, with well-known and highly regarded new
leadership at the head table. Many of us were thinking how lucky we were to have
a strong leadership team, as always. By preparation, dedication and hard work,
these leaders unselfishly give their time and energy implementing their ideas,
thus inspiring the membership to perform as Rotarians.
We
were planning to write a special thank-you to our club’s past presidents,
whose wisdom has perpetually provided us with outstanding leaders from time
immemorial. These wise men are our selection committee.
This
year, however, this prudent committee somehow allowed an unsavory arrangement to
slip past them. Only luck saved us – luck and the alertness of Alonzo Hill,
our resident FBI agent.
Alonzo’s
close surveillance of the incoming president, Hal Quigley, disclosed
apparent wrongdoing, which left Agent Hill no choice but to “Hook Him and Book
Him.” Hal was taken away. He is now out on bail, we hear. Judge Edward
Rafeedie (past president) is reported to have remanded Hal to the custody of
the Rotary Club of Santa Monica, where he will serve his one year’s time as
president, doing Service Above Self.
-- Lionel Ruhman
IN
STORE FOR THE NEXT FOUR FRIDAYS
|
July 20: “State of the City” by City Manager Susan McCarthy |
|
July
27: “Inside the National Enquirer
Magazine” by editor Patricia Smith |
|
August
3:“Conserving Paintings at the Getty Museum” by Andrea R. Rothe |
|
August 10:“How to Sell Peanuts at Dodger Stadium” by its top salesman |
ANOTHER
GALA DETHRONING
On
the evening of June 22 the attendees of our annual dethroning party were well
pleased with the festivities. A great buffet dinner preceded the program,
planned and directed by Bill Crookston, president-elect for 2002-2003. Bill
Hunt, past president, honored the outgoing and incoming presidents with
dignity and wit.
As
his last official act, retiring president John Lehne presented thanks and
citations to his entire board of directors. He also awarded club certificates to
Jim Dyer for computer expertise, Steve Litvack for printing
services, Ron Bawden for club photography, Keith Monroe for
editing Rota-Monica, and Klaus Mennekes for an outstanding dinner for the
Santa Monica Police Department.
A
special award went to Richard Rice for rewriting our bylaws and manual of
policies and procedures. Bill Fritzsche received the Austin-Jennings
award for outstanding continuous service for twenty years. Susan Dawson
and Alonzo Hill were honored as this year’s outstanding new members. Erik
Jorgensborg received the president’s outstanding individual effort award.
The Joe Gilbert outstanding Rotarian award was presented to Shirley Dowling.
The Rotary International Four Avenues of Service award went to Jim Reidy.
Then
we saw a very interesting photo-slide show of Rotary members and activities,
narrated by Bill Crookston, who had assembled it. The official meeting
was then closed in due and ancient form, and the music and dancing began. We
thank Bill and his committee for a memorable evening.
Personally,
on behalf of the membership, I thank President John Lehne and his team
for a great year, and welcome Hal Quigley and his team with best wishes
for an even greater year. To all our 153 members, we offer thanks for the
dedication and support that make this club what it is.
And
a special thank-you on behalf of the club to Larry Maher who designed,
developed, and maintains our Web page at rotaryclubofsantamonica.org.
-- Lionel Ruhman